Radon removal system that uses atmospheric air to simultaneously dilute radon gas or other contaminants to safer levels before exhausting externally through a band-board

ABSTRACT

Radon Removal System comprised of an inline suction fan with “y” type fitting below it. The “y” type fitting is attached to a mounting flange that is positioned over a 4 inch hole in the sump cover or other depressurization port allowing the suction fan to draw air containing radon gas or other contaminants from drain tile(s) having fluid communication with the sump basin. The side inlet of “y” fitting draws exterior air from a flexible or solid PVC pipe located 3 or more feet from the discharge point. The suction fan draws exterior air into the side inlet of “y” fitting and dilutes the radon gas drawn into the lower opening of “y” fitting. The suction fan simultaneously dilutes the contaminated air with clean exterior air before being pumped out of outlet port. The expelled air is discharged into the outside atmosphere where it is further diluted to safe levels posing no health risk. With this system, it is no longer necessary to route the discharge pipe to the highest eve of the roof. The expelled air is sufficiently diluted by mixing with clean exterior air before it is discharged through the band-board opening on the side of the house. This diluted mixture is further diluted upon discharge into the exterior atmosphere posing no health risk. With the availability of this invention and its lower cost, it is hoped that more people can benefit from reduced radon levels in their home and optimally save lives.

The present invention relates to a radon removal system that simultaneously dilutes radon gas with clean outside air before exhausting externally through the band-board on top of the foundation wall.

Current systems use a discharge pipe that rises vertically to the highest roof and terminate 12 inches or more above the gutter to discharge radon gas into the outside air. This requires long lengths of pipe that are permanently attached to the siding and are not conducive to the house design or aesthetics. This requires higher installation costs and maintenance. Vibration from the pumping device often resonates from the discharge pipe and is transferred to inside the house. Aluminum is often used for the discharge pipe which transmits the sound of moving air as it moves up the pipe.

The invention is comprised of the following:

Element 12 is a sump pit cover used to seal the top of the sump pit while allowing the sump discharge pipe to protrude through it along with the electrical cord(s). Element 14 is a foam-type gasket used to seal between the bottom of the sump cover and the uneven surface of the concrete floor. Element 16 is a mounting flange secured to the sump cover using easily removable self-tapping screws to secure it firmly to the sump cover. This feature allows for quick removal in the event that sump maintenance is required. Silicone sealant can be used to insure air tightness. Element 18 is a 4″ diameter×3″ length (or longer) schedule 40 PVC pipe and is cemented to the inside of the mounting flange. Element 20 is the “y” fitting with the “y” portion pointing upwards at a 45 degree angle. This fitting has a 4 inch diameter opening at the inlet end and also at the outlet end; however, the angled portion has a smaller 3 inch opening. This element is cemented to the top of element 18 with the angled outlet facing outwardly. Element 22 is a 4 inch diameter×3 inch (or longer) length of schedule 40 PVC pipe and is cemented into the top portion of element 20 with PVC cement. Element 24 is a 4 inch×4 inch rubber boot that is slipped over the top of element 22 and is secured with a stainless steel (or similar) screw-type clamp to secure it and make an air tight connection. Element 26 is an electric pumping device (suction fan) and is attached to the top portion of element 24 and also secured with the screw-type clamp for an air tight connection. Element 24 is another 4 inch×4 inch rubber boot attached to the top outlet portion of the pumping device (suction fan)—element 26 and is also secured with a screw-type clamping device for an airtight seal. Both elements 24 allow for vibration dampening by using rubber to isolate noise. Element 30 is the PVC coupling whereby the flexible or solid PVC pipe connects into. Element 32 is the flexible or solid PVC pipe that 1) supplies the suction fan with exterior air and 2) discharges the diluted air to the exterior. Element 42 is a vent outlet cover. Element 46 is a vent inlet cover.

The elements that are different from existing installations are the “y” fitting element 20 and the flexible hose or solid PVC pipe element 32, which brings in fresh air from the exterior and is drawn into the angled portion of the “y” fitting element 20 by the pumping device (suction fan)—element 26 and dilutes the radon gas to safer levels. The key to this invention is that the pumping device (suction fan) is used to not only expel the contaminated air, but to condition it to safer levels before it is discharged from the house. This aspect is not used in the industry. In existing installations, the radon gas expelled from the pumping device is not safe, so exterior pipes are installed to discharge the unsafe radon gas near the roof edge, where it dissipates into the atmosphere without being back-drafted into the house.

Element 12 sump cover is used to cover the sump pit, but for this application, it is also used to support the mounting flange element 16, and the “y” fitting element 20 which is beneath the pumping device (suction fan)—element 26. The sump cover has a 4 inch diameter hole directly beneath the mounting flange. The pumping device (suction fan)—element 26 draws radon gas from the sump pit, mixes it with clean exterior air and discharges it safely to the outside atmosphere.

By drawing large volumes of clean outside air into the “y” fitting element 20, the discharged air is at safer levels that do not pose health risks. The pumping device (suction fan),—element 26, simultaneously mixes clean air with contaminated air and discharges this mixture to the outside where it is further diluted when it discharges into the atmosphere.

Instead of using a PVC “y” fitting element 20, the flexible or solid PVC PIPE could connect directly to and through the sump cover and replicate the results.

In order to lower the indoor radon levels of a home, this invention allows the homeowner to do it themselves, and to do it in a way that safely expels the air to the exterior of the house without vertical pipes extending above the gutter of the highest roof, and without the possibility of back-drafting the original undiluted gas back into the house structure.

The scope and framework for this invention is not limited to the supplied drawing. Other variations of this invention can be done to mimic or replicate the results of this system. Any variation of hardware using the pump (suction fan) as a means to simultaneously dilute the discharge air to safer levels is in fact using the same concept. For example, the exterior inlet hose can also be connected to an inlet port of the sump cover or other depressurization port. This doesn't alter the design concept; it merely uses different hardware in a similar configuration to dilute the contaminated air entering the suction fan.

The angled port size of the “y” fitting, element 20 can be varied to change the ratio of exterior air versus contaminated air, dependant upon the resistance to air flow from the depressurization port. Decreasing the port opening will increase the suction capability of the pumping device, element 26, but will also lessen the dilution ratio of the expelled air. Increasing the size of the angled port opening (which brings in exterior air) will increase the amount of dilution air, but may reduce the suction capability of the pumping device. It is therefore suggested to self-test or have the radon tested by a State Licensed Radon Professional to verify effectiveness of the system. For most applications, the ratio of the port openings of the “y” fitting, element 20, as set forth, will successfully draw radon gas or other contaminants from the depressurization port and also simultaneously dilute the expelled gas to safe levels upon discharge to the exterior atmosphere.

DRAWING DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1: is a system schematic of the invention 10.

DESCRIPTION LIST

-   10: is the overall invention. -   12: is the sump pit cover. -   14: is the foam type gasket. -   16: is the mounting flange. -   18: is the PVC pipe. -   20: is the “y” fitting. -   22: is the PVC pipe. -   24: is the rubber boot. -   26: is the electric pumping device. -   30: is the PVC coupling. -   32: is the flexible or solid PVC pipe. -   34: is the floor. -   36: is the sump pit. -   38: is the drain tile. -   40: is the basement foundation wall. -   42: is the vent outlet. -   44: is the sump discharge pipe. -   46: is the vent inlet. 

1. A radon removal system that simultaneously dilutes radon gas and/or other contaminants with fresh outside air before exhausting safely to the exterior atmosphere. Because the discharge air has been conditioned, it can be exhausted anyplace on the side of a house structure where it immediately dilutes again as it mixes with the atmosphere; posing no health risks. As such, it is no longer necessary to discharge through long vertical pipes to the roof edge.
 2. The radon removal system as described above is not limited to using just the sump cover as a depressurization port. Other acceptable and recommended ports are through the concrete floor (sub-slab depressurization), through inlet port of sub-membrane cover (crawl-space), connecting into a drain tile, (drain-tile depressurization), or any other means of creating a vacuum to pull radon gas or other contaminants from soil under, next to, or around a structure that contains radon gas or other contaminants. The radon removal system will safely dilute the radon gas or other contaminants regardless of the location or type of depressurization port. 